Lt. Gov. candidate tells Reeves to hand over e-mails

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) - The Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor is asking the incumbent to hand over his government e-mails regarding the school funding initiative.

Tim Johnson (D), who faces Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) in November, said Reeves should properly respond to the request of Initiative 42 supporters who want his and House Speaker Phillip Gunn's e-mails made public.

"He's making a two day story into a four day story," Johnson said about Reeves' refusal to turn over correspondence.

Reeves and Gunn claim they are not required to do so under law, but Initiative 42 supports disagree, saying they believe the pair are under the influence of paid lobbyists against the initiative.

Initiative 42, which Johnson supports, would change the state Constitution to require the state legislature to fund education through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. If the legislature failed to do so, they would be sent to a chancery court.

Johnson also formally announced an invitation to Reeves Thursday to debate in each congressional district before the November 3 election.

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